Programmable microchip monitoring of post-stroke pyrexia: effects of aspirin and paracetamol on temperature and infarct size in the rat

Background: Recent studies have demonstrated spontaneous and prolonged hyperthermia following stroke in both humans and rodents. However, a full characterization of these pyretic changes and the effects of anti-pyretic drugs on outcome is not available. Methods: The aims of this study were to monitor conscious body temperature ( n=10 per group) using programmable microchips for up to 24 h in rats following either permanent (p) or 90 min transient (t) middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) or sham surgery, and to evaluate the relationship to hypothalamic damage. Also, the effects of anti-pyretic drug therapy on body temperature and infarct volume were evaluated in animals treated with vehicle, optimal doses of either aspirin or paracetamol (250 mg/kg i.p.) following pMCAO ( n=10 per group). Results: At 1 h, body temperature significantly ( P